Untreated sewage was released into waters less than a mile from areas designated for marine nature conservation in Scotland for more than 20,000 hours last year, a study has found.
Analysis by a leading ocean charity also found that sewage discharged into seas around the country for 113,000 hours last year.
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) believes the figure is likely to be a tiny fraction of the true amount, as less than 4 per cent of the country’s storm overflows — 123 of a total of 3,617 — are currently monitored for spills. In England, about 89 per cent of sewage overflows are monitored.
It is understood that sewage pollution can have significant impacts on wildlife, ranging from causing neurological, hormonal and immune problems
